The Roundtable’s Kids at Hope initiative is a strategic cultural framework that, when adopted by adults in an entire community profoundly shapes the future of children and reduces risk areas.  Adults are trained that “All Children Are Capable of Success – No Exceptions!”.  They are then given tools to identify the talents, skills, goals, and dreams of children while providing opportunities for success.

Thanks to the Children’s Services Council and the United Way of St. Lucie, over 3,000 adults have been trained as “Treasure Hunters” to affect the lives of over 11,000 children in fifteen     K-12 schools and over 50 community organizations.  The research behind Kids at Hope is bound by three universal truths.  Children succeed when they are surrounded by adults who believe they can succeed.  Children have a meaningful and a sustainable relationship with a caring adult, and they can articulate their future multi-dimensionally in four destinations: Home & Family, Hobbies & Recreation, Community & Service, and Career & Education. 

Children’s Week Community Innovation Awards are presented annually to communities that demonstrate an exemplary effort to create collaboration in their communities as they work toward a common goal to serve children and families.  The awards recognize communities that are pursuing systemic change by collaboratively endeavoring to mesh programs and funding to address critical issues facing children and families.

Collaborating agencies in St. Lucie include the Roundtable, Board of County Commissioners, Calvary Chapel, Children’s Services Council, Early Learning Coalition, Fort Pierce Housing Authority, Indian River State College, Morganti Group, School Board, United Way, and the   Van Duzer Foundation.

 
Kids at Hope Video

Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100.  Go to the “Help”, then “Donate” tab to purchase tickets online with PayPal!

Some of the very powerful quotes from Board members that day: “St. Lucie is becoming the village we all have heard about”; “I’ve been deeply touched by the leadership that has surrounded Kids at Hope”. “There is something very special happening here”.

Kids at Hope is an initiative of the Roundtable of St. Lucie County and inspires, empowers and transforms communities to create a culture where all children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS! It is a belief and practice that promotes the talents, skills, goals, dreams and successes in all youth.  Kids at Hope is funded by both the Children’s Services Council and the United Way of St. Lucie County.

The vets spoke about what “Americanism” means to them, and how the American flag can be the single-most symbol of inspiration to an exhausted warrior.  What do the colors of our flag mean and represent?  Why are we proud to be American Veterans?

When a veteran separates or retires from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard, each have different experiences and worked at different jobs, but all served the mission to keep our way of life free.

The Kids at Hope belief promotes that “All Children are Capable of Success, No Exceptions” and a significant aspect of the initiative encourages youth to time travel to the future.  Kids at Hope is an initiative of the Roundtable of St. Lucie County, Inc. and is funded by both Children’s Services Council and the United Way of St. Lucie County.

We are celebrating the first day of school with a multitude of Treasure Hunters participating in 15 Tunnels of Hope.  Please mark your calendars for Monday, August 22nd.  Please check back later in the summer for specific times.

The Kids at Hope Tunnel is a great way to let the kids know we are proud of them and believe in them, and congratulate them on the first day of school.  All children are capable of success – NO EXCEPTIONS!

Here are some things that were said about last years’ tunnels:

“Wow-I am just in awe of all of our community volunteers who made today so special for our students. It was a truly amazing experience. At dismissal, as I was telling students good-bye and asking how their day went, a 3rd or 4th grade age boy said “Yeah, I loved that thing we went through with all the people.” And this was at the end of the day-he must have carried that excitement and joy all through the day. Please convey to all the volunteers what a gift they gave our students today-they were awesome.”

“A young (maybe Kindergarten) boy was holding on to his mom’s leg. He looked scared! I walked over to him and he grabbed his mom’s leg really tightly… I told him there were firefighters around the corner that wanted to give him a high-five. His face lit up and he let go of mom’s leg and walked through the tunnel ahead of us. It was one of many moments my eyes filled with tears. His smile was one of many we saw appear as a result of all our dedicated treasure hunters!”

 Student applications are available at each of the high school’s guidance office, on this website under the tab “Youth Leadership Council”, and at the Roundtable office.  Applications are due on Wednesday, June 8th.  Course dates are June 13 through June 30, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at IRSC’s main campus in Fort Pierce.

 Graduates of the course are then elected to the Youth Leadership Council.  These students choose priorities they would like to address in the community.  In the past, priorities have included restoration of the St. Lucie River to preserve wildlife, enhancing transportation needs, conducting youth needs assessment surveys and focus groups, starting a recycling program in the schools, conducting a county-wide student food drive, and conducting a food drive for animals at the Humane Society.  Students will receive an additional three (3) dual credit hours at IRSC.

 The Youth Leadership Council was established by the Roundtable in 2003 following a noticed absence of the youth voice in developing community resources.  The Council serves in an advisory role to provide information and opinions to a variety of governmental officials.

Founded by Rick Miller, Kids at Hope is a cultural change model and belief that All Children Are Capable of Success – NO EXCEPTIONS!  Adults are trained as “Treasure Hunters” to find the talent, skills, goals, and dreams for the future in all children.  Once the goals and dreams have been identified, adults then support them by providing opportunities for success. 

 The purpose is to inspire, empower and transform the community to create a culture where all children experience success, NO EXCEPTIONS!  Please join us in becoming a treasure hunter and look for the “treasures” in all children.  When children have hopes and dreams for the future they avoid risky behaviors in order to achieve their dreams.

Your Kids at Hope Team

Christine Epps – Executive Director & Technical Support at Fort Pierce Magnet School of the Arts, and Weatherbee Elementary School.  You can reach Ms. Epps at (772) 341-4959 or cepps@roundtableslc.org.

Mindi Fetterman – Port St. Lucie Trainings & Technical Support at Bayshore Elementary, Manatee Academy, Oak Hammock, PACE, and Windmill Point Elementary.  You can reach Ms. Fetterman at (561) 909-9991 or mindimass@gmail.com.

Denise Sirmons – Fort Pierce Trainings & Technical Support at C.A. Moore Elementary, Dan McCarty Middle School, Garden City Early Learning Academy, Samuel Gaines Academy, and Westwood High School.  You can reach Ms. Sirmons at (772) 519-1753 or denisetreasurehunter@gmail.com.

Wendy Wolff – Back up Trainings & Technical Support at Delaware Avenue School, Forest Grove Middle School, and Village Green Elementary.  You can reach Ms. Wolff at (772) 812-5501 or estrategies@mindspring.com

Kids at Hope Video – No Exceptions!

 http://youtu.be/vaE2XQjZWfY

Kids at Hope Pledge by Maya, Robert, and Seth

 http://youtu.be/GsyLgrXnLXE

Xiang is a Kid at Hope at Windmill Point Elementary

 http://youtu.be/zHMVOW7i7zA

Roundtable Kids at Hope Initiative Wins Award

http://youtu.be/WNfp21yV2CM

Garden City Early Learning Academy is the first Kids at Hope school in the county as well as the State. They are in their third year of implementation and have transformed their school culture with the belief that all children are capable of success, no exceptions. Children have hopes for their future and can articulate their dreams and goals want to learn and succeed. Caring adults that have a sustainable relationship with each child help them to attain those goals and dreams by providing the tools to succeed.